The Husqvarna Group does not disclose the details of where Husqvarna chainsaws are made. Various parts are manufactured and assembled in different countries. However, Sweden and the USA are the countries where most of the assembly takes place.
Individual parts are made in manufacturing facilities in European countries like France and Germany. Other countries where Husqvarna chainsaws are made are Brazil and China.
Stihl chainsaws, the leading competitor to Husqvarna, are also made in various countries like Brazil, China, Austria, Germany, and the United States.
In the US, Husqvarna chainsaws are assembled in Charlotte, N.C, and in Nashville, Arkansas, which has a solar-powered plant that also produces trimmers and other horticultural equipment.
The Group has almost thirteen thousand employees in forty countries.
The History Of Husqvarna Chainsaws
The first production model chainsaw made by Husqvarna came onto the market in 1959. However, the Company was founded nearly three hundred years earlier, in 1689.
The first products made by the Husqvarna group were rifles, and they continued to make weapons until the last shotgun was produced in 1989.
Over the three hundred years of operation, the Company diversified into manufacturing sewing machines in 1872, and two years later, they produced kitchen equipment.
By 1896, they had started manufacturing bicycles which morphed into motorcycles at the turn of the century. When they commenced producing chainsaws, the experience gained from motorcycles provided a great advantage.
The Husqvarna chainsaw had a significant advantage over competitive models because it was able to utilize the experience gained in manufacturing exhaust systems for Husqvarna motorcycles.
The Husqvarna 90, as it was called, was much quieter to operate because of the exhaust muffler system copied from the motorcycle engine design. This feature gave it an advantage over its competitors like Stihl chainsaws, which had been on the market since 1926.
Over the years, the Husqvarna brand has become synonymous with reliability and innovation in Chainsaw manufacturing.
It is perhaps a little ironic that the first chainsaws were made for orthopedic reasons. A German orthopedic surgeon, Bernard Heine, developed a manually operated chainsaw to use in orthopedic procedures in 1830. Later the introduction of an electrically powered chainsaw made it a far more efficient orthopedic instrument.
Other Chainsaw Brands Made By The Husqvarna Group
Gardena Garden Chainsaws
The Gardena Range of Garden Equipment is also part of the Husqvarna Group.
The Gardena Electric Chainsaw is a small battery-powered Chainsaw with a bar length of just under 14 inches. It is an ideal saw for trimming small trees and light pruning.
McCulloch Chainsaws
McCulloch chainsaw brands are also part of the Husqvarna group. McCulloch produces a variety of chainsaws and other garden equipment, such as petrol-powered mowers and brush cutters.
They have a range of gas-powered models, starting with the smaller 35 cc model, which has a 14″ bar, and the larger 45 cc model has a 16″ bar length.
For the more serious lumberjacks or professional woodcutters, McCulloch chainsaws offer the CS 50 model, which has an 18″ bar and is intended for more robust tasks.
They also make a battery-powered chainsaw for domestic use.
Poulan Chainsaws
The Poulan range of chainsaws is divided into the Poulan pro and the Poulan range. The Poulan Pro range has models from 40 cc to 51 cc gas-powered chainsaws with bar lengths ranging from sixteen to twenty inches.
They also have a battery chainsaw model powered by a 58 Volt motor.
The Poulan chainsaws range is aimed at the lighter usage market, and there is a choice of two models plus an electric model.
Another brand of chainsaws made in association with Poulan chainsaws is the Craftsman chainsaw range. The two brands often have almost identical models on offer, and both manufacturers share assembly facilities with Husqvarna.
Craftsman chainsaws are available both as gas and battery-powered models and are primarily aimed at the lighter domestic market.
Most Popular Husqvarna Chainsaw Models
Husqvarna 540LiXP
The Husqvarna 540 LiXP is rated as one of the best battery-powered chainsaws and is a leader in this market segment. Makita chainsaws are a strong competitor in this range with their model, the Makita XCU07PT chainsaw.
Battery Powered Husqvarna Chainsaws
The smaller and lighter Husqvarna 120i makes Husqvarna chainsaws the leading brand for light domestic battery-powered chainsaws.
Husqvarna chainsaws have a wide range of battery-powered chainsaws with models like the 535XP with a 14″ bar and the 535 XP with a 12″ bar.
The Husqvarna chainsaw made for light pruning is the T525 chainsaw which, because of its lightweight, is an ideal machine for trimming and pruning trees.
The Rancher Range
Moving up into the medium power range, the 460 Rancher has become one of the most popular Husqvarna chainsaws made for the medium range of jobs but powerful enough to handle the odd bigger trunk.
The low emissions and vibration technology make the chainsaw comfortable to operate, but you do need some muscle to handle the weight of the machine.
Just a little lighter, the 455 Rancher has a 21″ bar and a slightly smaller capacity engine.
But if you need even a lighter model, have a look at the T435 Model, which at only 7.5 pounds, comes with the option of a 12″ or 14″ bar.
The 3120 Model
The king of the Husqvarna chainsaws is the 3120 XP model. This model is meant for the serious logger. With a recommended 42-inch bar, it can be used as a portable sawmill, but it does weigh over twenty pounds, so you will need a fair bit of muscle power to control this machine.
Best Husqvarna Model For Small Properties
There is such a wide range of demands on chainsaws based on the environment that there is never going to be one model that ticks all boxes, but for small properties, the Husqvarna 120 Mark II scores the best coming in at just under ten pounds it is light enough for easy working.
The 1.4 kW engine will produce enough power to handle a pile of firewood easily or do some midsize pruning. The low vibration feature makes it a wonderfully comfortable machine to use for an extended period.
Best Husqvarna Model For Large Properties
With an asking price of under $500, the 450 Rancher is one the most popular chainsaws made by the Husqvarna company. Specially designed for larger properties, the 3.2 HP engine will provide sufficient power to satisfy the most demanding logging jobs.
With features like a slower pull-start, low emissions, and better fuel consumption, the 450 Rancher is a pleasure to operate.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, by now we’ve helped shed some light on the question of where are Husqvarna chainsaws made, even though it is difficult to narrow it down to a specific geographic region.
The chainsaw market is a closely contested one with tight and razor-sharp competition between manufacturers to maintain their market share. Reliability is what makes Husqvarna chainsaws able to maintain their position as one of the best chainsaws made.
The Husqvarna group has a reputation for introducing innovative technological features to their chainsaws, like the low vibration function that reduces user fatigue.
The range of Chainsaws made by Husqvarna ensures that there is a model suitable for all requirements, from the lightest of domestic uses to the serious logging demands of professional woodmen.
From starting out in the town of Husqvarna in Sweden, the Husqvarna Group has spread its manufacturing plants worldwide while successfully holding on to its reputation as the producer of one of the top-quality chainsaws made.
The dedication of the Husqvarna Group to the highest quality standards is evident from the beautiful display in their Husqvarna Museum, which opened in 1993 and was expanded in 2005. The museum has a comprehensive display of the products made by the group through the four centuries of its operation.
Chainsaws come with some health risks, and apart from the obvious risks of careless handling, there are other issues that require sensible precautions.
Husqvarna chainsaws made environmental issues central to their innovative design features. The low-vibration feature on most of their models means that fatigue and pain from extended usage are minimized. This does play a significant role in reducing the risk of developing Raynaud’s disease.
Hearing loss associated with the high noise levels produced by chainsaws made it essential to wear ear protection to reduce the noise to below eighty dB.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
Does Husqvarna have manufacturing plants in China?
Yes, Husqvarna chainsaws are made in six of the seven manufacturing plants located in China. While components are produced in China, most of the assembly is undertaken in Sweden and the USA. Forty percent of the Husqvarna Group manufacturing takes place in Sweden.
Where are Husqvarna chainsaws made in the USA?
Husqvarna Consumer Brands operates out of Charlotte, N.C where there are four facilities producing various products such as lawnmowers and ride-on equipment. It is the largest Husqvarna manufacturing site in the world. They also have manufacturing sites in Nashville, Ark, and McCrae, GA.
The Nashville site manufactures Chainsaws, trimmers, and blowers. In 2017, they became one of the first solar-powered facilities.
Which chainsaw is better, Stihl or Husqvarna?
The two leading brands in Chainsaws both produce exceptionally good chainsaws. It is one of those happy instances where making either choice is correct.
There is one significant marketing difference, though: Stihl is only available from registered dealers, while Husqvarna chainsaws are available online.
Husqvarna claims that their X-TORQ feature ensures that their saws have better fuel efficiency and, consequently, lower emissions. Husqvarna saws also have the reputation of faster cutting speeds through the wood.
Stihl chainsaws, on the other hand, tend to be a little lighter with smaller fuel tanks. They also tend to have a more competitive pricing structure.
It ends up as a matter of personal choice, but both companies offer great quality products. The more difficult decision is to get the right model for your specific requirements.
